Thinking and Linking by Joanne Jacobs
President Obama wants community colleges to train 2 million “21st-century workers” for skilled technical jobs in the next three years — but most community college students don’t have the math and reading skills these jobs require.
California’s high-minority community colleges have low transfer rates. Graduates of low-performing high schools who enroll in community college have little chance of completing a bachelor’s degree.
Time is the enemy of completion, argues Stan Jones of Complete College America. Even if colleges rein in tuition hikes, students are unlikely to make it to graduation unless they commit to a study plan or pathway.
In rural Kansas, community colleges provide the only job training available. As Pell Grants expanded, more Kansans enrolled.
President Obama’s budget includes $8 billion for the Community College to Career Fund, which would fund partnerships between local employers and colleges to train 2 million people for high-demand, high-paying jobs. In the State of the Union speech, the president called for colleges to become “community career centers.” That phrase was repeated by Education Secretary Arne Duncan yesterday at a press conference, along with several references to America, an economy and a workforce ”built to last.” Must have tested well with focus groups.
A new initiative will help low-income community college students apply for a range of benefits including food stamps, health insurance, subsidized child care, housing vouchers and more. The goal is to increase graduation rates by relieving financial pressures.
Providing college classes at high school campuses present a series of challenges, writes a community college dean. Principals want to maintain their traditional schedule and authority structure.
Community colleges have created “corporate colleges” that customize learn-while-you-earn training for apprentices in local industries.
Stop Sallie Mae’s unemployment penalty demands a Change petition.
Federal financial aid is geared to full-time, degree-seeking students, complained Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s audience at Tallahassee Community College. Colleges can’t train 2 million skilled workers without aid for people seeking short-term job training or part-timers who need literacy or English classes to qualify for a job.
President Obama wants community colleges to turn out 2 million skilled workers. It’s not that easy, writes a community college dean.
Community colleges will become “community career centers” working with employers to train 2 million Americans for skilled jobs, said President Obama in the State of the Union speech, which also promised to make college affordable for middle-class families.
States cut funding for colleges and universities by 7.6 percent in 2011-12, a new study finds. The federal stimulus money ran out and state budgets couldn’t make up the difference.
Also: More on free and cheap online college courses’ challenge to traditional higher education. It’s all about the credentials.
Texas needs skilled workers with two-year technical degrees, say educators and employers. A bachelor’s isn’t always better.
Also on Community College Spotlight: From jail to a job.
While community colleges have kept tuition under control, students have been hit hard by rising textbook costs. Increasingly, students say they’re trying to get by without buying all the assigned books.
Virginia’s community college system will help India develop job training centers.
A North Carolina community college recruits, screens and trains new manufacturing workers for Caterpillar, all part of a state incentives package that lured a new factory to an area with high unemployment.
Minnesota has cut career-tech programs for high school students, despite soaring demand.
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